The Nazareth Administrative Court has ruled in favor of a petition submitted by IUED, grassroots organization Citizens for the Environment in the Galilee, and community partners from the Jewish settlement Hoshaya and the Arab village Kfar Kana. The court ordered the IMC metals factory at the Zipporit Business Park to cease operating and close within six months of the November ruling. Zoning of the park comes under the jurisdiction of the Upper Nazareth Local Planning & Building Committee.
The IMC factory is a manufacturing plant handling aluminum and as such is not applicable for admission to the business park which is zoned for ‘clean commercial activity.’
For several years, IUED and partners have fought efforts by interested partners to circumvent zoning laws but despite ongoing proceedings, the factory began operating at Zipporit in the summer of 2009. In response, IUED and partners turned to the courts for a decisive solution. This ruling is an important precedent and hopefully, is the last stage in this long running struggle.
IUED's environmental justice attorney, Keren Halperin-Museri points out that the planning committee has tried hard to find a loophole in zoning laws to allow the factory to operate. Its interest lies in expanding the Upper Nazareth tax base, and committee members feel no obligation to consider the affects of a polluting metals factory on the health of local residents whose communities fall under another local authority's jurisdiction, despite their immediate proximity to the Zipporit Business Park.
"We are delighted that the Nazareth Administrative Court has understood the environmental injustice inflicted upon the Jewish and Arab communities in the area and has ordered steps to remedy the injustice. We will be monitoring implementation of the court order and responding accordingly."
